In an ideal world, we would all own Rivian R1S, GMC Sierra EV Denali, and Lucid Air electric cars. While they aren’t necessarily the absolute best zero-emission vehicles, they can go long distances. That’s what you want from an electric car, especially since we now know that battery-powered cars are sensitive to weather changes. But if you’re not ready for a major lifestyle change and need some time before you finally ditch the old dinosaur juice, here’s a suggestion: buy this BMW.
First of all, I would like to point out that the best vehicle for you and your family is the one you can comfortably afford. There is no point in trying to look cool in front of your peers or going into debt for a car. Most cars are assets that depreciate in value and the appeal of newness wears off after a few months. Additionally, if you have a child or two (or very young nephews or cousins) who often ride with you, maintaining a luxury vehicle becomes very expensive. No matter how you twist and turn it, a premium luxury vehicle will cost you a lot.
The X7 is a very expensive three-row Off-road vehicle. At the time of writing, the starting price is $83,500. That gets you a 375-hp, three-row Bavarian loft on wheels (that is, the X7 xDrive40i) that accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Under the hood is the famous B58 six-cylinder engine, considered one of the best engines ever built. Not only is it quite powerful, but it’s also reliable.
However, don’t expect the mechanical heart of the 3.0-liter engine to be perfect. Hybridization hasn’t done it any favors. Some Gen 3 B58 owners have complained about issues related to the Start&Stop or the coasting function (i.e. turning off the engine when driving at a constant speed on the highway).
Everyone knows that complexity is the enemy of reliability, but that’s exactly what happens when environmental regulations cannot be circumvented. These efficiency measures are also important because they help car manufacturers avoid extreme downsizing or abandoning the combustion engine altogether.
Photo: BMW
If you’re wealthy and fill up your tank at Costco after every grocery shopping trip, the $110,900 X7 M60i with a powerful 523-horsepower V8 is your best bet.
If you’re really wealthy, the Alpina XB7 is the three-row BMW you’ll buy. It has 631 horsepower, giving it a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds.
Keep it as simple as possible
However, no BMW is a real BMW without a few options. Since this is a family transporter and not a commuter vehicle that can only rarely travel in a vehicle with a high number of passengers (HOV) track, our choice falls on the new X7 xDrive40i.
Good enough equipment includes free Sparkling Copper exterior paint (slightly lighter than the familiar Dravit Gray) or any other color that doesn’t cost extra, free 21-inch wheels, Coffee Merino leather for $1,950 for softer and more supportive seats, and any interior trim that isn’t piano black or costs more than $100 (we opted for Anthracite Poplar with a matte finish).
Now, moving on to the options, we added the Premium package for $1,850 for soft-close doors, rear window sunshades and gesture control, the Park Assist package for $900 for the 360-degree camera system, five-zone climate control for $800 and the Ultimate Care+2 package for $4,249 for a worry-free driving experience. The latter includes full coverage for five years or 75,000 miles, meaning wear and tear parts are replaced free of charge with genuine parts with a two-year warranty.
Photo: BMW
It’s worth noting that the Ultimate Care+2 package isn’t really necessary. The limited warranty should be enough in case something goes wrong with your new three-row Bavarian SUV. Technicians won’t do an oil change sooner than BMW allows them to (10,000-mile intervals). They also won’t replace your transmission fluid, filters, and oil pan, or give your X7 new spark plugs or belts, as these are considered either lifetime or 100,000-mile operations. Plus, replacing an air filter or brake pads has become a simple Saturday task thanks to YouTube.
So our X7 without blacked-out elements or improved chassis costs $94,424 before taxes, fees and shipping. Not bad. It’s about $500 cheaper than a fully electric Rivian R1S with 665 hp and dual motor, the new Max Pack battery with 141.5 kWh and the performance upgrade.
So why buy one?
Well, the engine is the first good reason. The B58 is reliable and when fitted under the hood of the X7 and connected to the eight-speed ZF transmission, it has enough power to move you and your loved ones quickly and smoothly in traffic when needed. The standard air suspension also helps with this.
Photo: BMW
The X7 xDrive40i is also quite efficient. The vehicle should be able to get 24 to 27 miles per gallon in real-world driving situations, including highway speeds. Just make sure you get an oil change every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and fill up with better gas. The minimum is 89 octane gas, and the owner’s manual recommends 91 octane, but in the long run, it would be better to give the X7 93 octane occasionally. The latter contains more ethanol, which means it burns a little better. Better combustion is good for the longevity of turbocharged engines.
Another reason to buy the X7 is, believe it or not, the looks. Once you get used to the Hyundai Santa Fe 2018-2023 front design and grille, you’ll gradually grow to love this behemoth. Its grandiose appearance inspires confidence, and the taillights have been tastefully redesigned (thank goodness!).
But if we’re being completely honest, few people consider buying a nearly six-figure family car for its neat exterior. This car has to be great for everyone who sits in it. Thankfully, the X7 ticks those boxes. If you pay for the Merino upholstery upgrade, the seats are wide enough, comfortable, and adjust well.
A six-seat configuration is desirable for families who want to stay close together or need a little more room to move around or stow bags, but the second-row bench seat is fine too. The good news is that third-row occupants have access to their own sunroof (with sunshade!) and individual climate controls (if you choose the five-zone climate option), as well as real air vents that can be adjusted.
Photo: autoevolution
In addition, they have more legroom and a better seating position than those sitting in the very back of a Mercedes-Benz GLS. Your children will also appreciate the good cup holders, good headroom, enough window space (including a fairly large side window) and a heating function.
However, the rear-heavy X7 with a weight distribution of almost 50:50 is not just intended for passengers. The driver has to cope with it too. Choose the Integral Active Steering option with rear-wheel steering and the Bavarian vehicle becomes much more maneuverable in the city or in tight parking spaces. A high-quality 360-degree camera system also helps you to carry out the right maneuvers, while intelligent functions such as the reversing assistant can get you out of a tricky situation.
Bigger than the Audi Q7, better finished than a Land Rover Range Rover, more refined (and quieter!) than the GLS and equipped with better software than all three rivals, the X7 is the three-row SUV to buy if you want a no-compromise driving experience and the best conditions for your family. It’s true that the switch to iDrive 8 has made the cabin a little less appealing, but the Bavarians have invested a lot of time and money into getting everything right. You’ll get used to everything in no time or simply learn the voice commands that work with the virtual assistant.
A few final thoughts
While I recommend you buy our take on the facelifted X7, a used car or even a model with some sort of dealer warranty or protection is your best bet. The B58 engine in the original 2019-2022 X7 doesn’t have any additional mild-hybrid technology and arguably looks better than its successor.
Photo: BMW
In addition, these slim headlights look much nicer and more aggressive than the split design, and some may even feature the laser light technology. When activated, it can illuminate the road ahead of you for a distance of about 603 meters. That’s twice the distance that conventional lighting systems cover. However, keep in mind that the laser beam is activated at speeds above 60 km/h, and the newer adaptive LED technology has rendered these cool headlights useless since their performance is almost the same. It’s still cool that you have a laser warning on your car!
Another plus point of the previous X7 is the nicer materials in the interior, the many physical buttons and the iDrive 7. But that’s just a personal observation and preference. You might end up thinking differently.
Ultimately, any well-equipped and maintained used X7 or a brand new one can be a good choice for families who do not MPV like the Kia Carnival or the Toyota Sienna. It can also be a good car for parents who might want to do a bit of enthusiastic driving from time to time. If you can afford it (maintenance and insurance included), it’s a no-brainer. It will make you and your passengers happy.
If you don’t need a third row of seats and a fully electric vehicle is just not your cup of tea, the versatile X5 xDrive50e is the next best thing. Use it properly (ie charge the battery at home, drive EV mode on short trips and don’t suddenly turn the engine on while driving on the highway), and you’ll see why plug-in hybrids can offer the best of both worlds.
